Carmel Benbow's first love has always been her garden and, since her husband's death, little else has occupied her. But her children, long-starved of a mother's affections are suffering. Seventeen-year-old Michaeljohn is a vicious bully, his younger brother, Ambrose, his primary target, and Astrid, the eldest, is embroiled in a highly unsuitable affair. As the First World War approaches, the family is on the verge of disintegration, but help comes from an unusual source. Keziah, a lifelong friend, traveller and horse-dealer, uses her controversial magic on the family, but will her influence be enough to rescue Michaeljohn from himself, Ambrose from Michaeljohn and Astrid from her lover?